Anything from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR. Other than that, I made it all up. Angst/Anxiety/Drama. AU. Enjoy.
Previously on A Riddle With Another Name: Confrontations
Once inside, Tom waved his wand to close the door and with a few extra flicks silenced the room. Abraxas Malfoy just about fell apart thinking he might not leave the room in one piece.
Tom turned toward him so quickly Malfoy automatically took two steps back which annoyed Tom.
"For fucks sake Malfoy. Get a grip on yourself. I have need of your assistance."
Knowing no one but Avery or Nott assisted the Master with his business, Malfoy straightened up. He was being called upon not for a hexing, but to assist. He could feel his back straightening of its own accord. "Of course Master. Anything I can do to help."
Tom smiled at the simpering wizard. If he had his way, Malfoy would be in the Black Lake swallowing water, but for now, he was here for a purpose.
"What I'm about to tell you is to be held in the strictest confidence. No one and I mean no one except you and I can know what is said in here."
Now excited that he had been called upon, Malfoy was ready for anything, or so he thought. Tom's next words reverberated throughout his body with the fierceness of a Goblin clanger.
"I need you to kill someone Malfoy."
Malfoy's knees tried to buckle from under him. His Master wanted him to kill someone. What in bloody hell could he do now?
Tom Riddle laughed out loud at the look on Malfoy's face. "Perhaps kill was too strong of a word. I think hexing him to an inch of his life will do. Have a seat and I'll explain."
All Abraxas could do was slide his arse into a chair as he'd been told and wait for details.
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name: Executing An Attack
Abraxas Malfoy sat quivering waiting for his Master to enlighten him on his prior statement. Malfoy knew he wasn't one of Lord Voldemort's favorites, but realized he was about to be thrown to the wolves. Anyone with a lick of sense knew about memory retrieval. If he killed someone, all it would take was for the Headmaster or Dumbledore to retrieve the last memories of the victim to know who did it, or, round up suspects and use a drop of Veritaserum. Either way, the killer would be found. In this case, he would be found out.
Malfoy was dim, but he knew exactly why his Master had chosen him instead of Avery or Nott. He was expendable while Avery and Nott were not.
Tom growled at Malfoy. "Look sharp Malfoy. If you aren't up to helping me, I'll find someone else. However, if that becomes the case, make no mistake about it. I will inform my stalwart soldiers you are unreliable."
Avery had already been giving him withering looks. He definitely didn't want to be labeled a coward by Lord Voldemort. Malfoy jumped to his feet. "No need to get others involved Master. I'm ready to do whatever is needed."
You simple dullard thought Tom. All you're good for is flexing your erection to the witches. I don't think you even know how to use it. Out loud, Tom responded in a more positive manner. "Of course you are Abraxas. If I thought you weren't, I would have called on someone else. For reasons I'll keep to my self, a First Year Gryffindor needs to be eliminated. I want you to catch him in one of the darkened corridors and give him Slytherin hell. It isn't necessary to actually kill him, but curse him badly enough so he won't be a problem to me ever again. I expect blow back on this so make sure you aren't observed. Details are as following. The recipient is Zachary Glover. I'm sure you already know of him as he was the reason Avery caught detention. No other information is necessary. Bring me evidence. Something from the body of the mutt. Do better than Avery. Go do it now.
Once Malfoy left his rooms, Tom counted to twenty then entered the common room ordering everyone to get to the Great Hall in double time. Neither Avery or Nott questioned the order. They just got up and followed Tom to lunch.
/*/
Hurrying out of Tom's rooms, Abraxas Malfoy ignored Avery and Nott who jumped up with looks of anger and amazement on their faces when they saw who was leaving their Master's rooms. Avery even called out to Malfoy who just kept going. He had been given a task and a time frame.
Although his casting was weak, Malfoy had learned the Disillusionment Charm. Knowing that sneaking up on Glover was key, Malfoy cast the charm as soon as he was away from the Slytherin dungeons. He knew the Gryffindor House was on the seventh floor, so that's where he would wait deep in the shadows away from the fat, nosy witch who guarded their common room door. As he moved up staircase after staircase, Malfoy hoped his charm would hold up and that Glover would be easy to find.
Initially, Malfoy had stood immobile for the first few minutes. However, because the only exercise his lazy arse got was flexing his erection for the witches, his legs soon felt like they were swelling. He began pacing back and forth mumbling and grumbling about being away from the dungeons, holding in a pee, being chosen for a shite job, and legs that were feeling numb.
After about thirty minutes, Malfoy decided to move further into the corridor and away from the portrait of the Fat Lady. As luck would have it, he hadn't been in place for more than two minutes when the miscreant appeared at the end of the corridor. Carefully making his way towards Zach, Malfoy waited until he was almost on top of the unsuspecting student. When he was almost within arms reach, Malfoy shouted Obscuro, Incarcerous, Silencio in quick succession. Zach didn't even have a chance to resist.
Malfoy stood over Zach dumbly looking down at the blindfolded, bound and silenced boy. Malfoy had him, but didn't know what to do next. His orders were to hurt him within an inch of his life. But what did that mean? Hearing footsteps, Malfoy dragged Zach into the closest unlocked door breathing heavily as he listened to the footsteps pass the door.
"Now what? Now fucking what? I'm not Tom. I don't want to kill anyone. Then he thought of the consequences of not completing his order. Facing the wrath of Tom, Avery and Nott was something he did not want to happen.
Pacing up and down, Malfoy tried to figure out how to badly hurt Zach but not kill him. He had to think fast. He'd already been gone long enough to kill two people.
/*/
Zaria Glover was sitting at her desk happily writing a letter to Zach describing her excitement for the upcoming weekend with the grandfather. Suddenly, in the middle of a sentence everything went black and she couldn't move or speak.
Samantha called out to her daughter. "What was that thud honey? Is everything okay? You know the rule about temper tantrums. We don't have them. Zaria."
When she didn't get a response, Samantha wiped the flour from her hands and headed for her daughter's room expecting to see books strewn across the floor. However, when she got to the doorway of Zaria's room, it appeared her daughter was in some kind of fit or seizure. Although she hadn't had a lot of practice with a wand, or, magic itself, Samantha knew something magical was happening to Zaria who was now lying in a fetal position. Something had her daughter in dire straits. Samantha did the first thing that came to mind. She tried to send a Patronus to her grandfather whom Zaria and Zach also called grandfather.
We need help.
Less than fifteen minutes later Papa Gibbons was walking into the house calling out. "Hello Sam. Are you alright. Nice work with the Patronus. The problem is I could only make out one word, need. How can I help?"
Sobbing, Samantha ran to her grandfather. "There's something wrong with Zaria. She was in here writing a letter to Zach when I heard a thud. I found her writhing like she was having a seizure then she seemed to deflate and came to be as you see her. Help her Papa. I don't know what to do. I should have studied magic. I should have studied up on spells."
Papa Gibbons gave his granddaughter a shake telling her to go wash her face before stepping over to check Zaria. His daughter was correct. Someone, somehow had cast hurtful spells on his great granddaughter. Unlike his granddaughter, Papa Gibbons did know magic and the quickest way to undo spells was simply undo them.
"Finite Incantatem." He shouted.
Zaria jumped up coughing and crying as she ran into the grandfather's arms "Papa. I couldn't see, hear or move. I was so frightened. Thank you for saving me."
Papa Gibbons was baffled. "What is this all about? I know this is a silly question, but were you trying to do magic. Sometimes spells can backfire."
Zaria tightened her hold on her Papa grandfather. "No Papa. I know the rules. Never try a spell unless I'm with you. I was just sitting here writing a letter to Zach."
As she was trying to explain herself, Zaria suddenly went as stiff as a board. Both Papa Gibbons and Samantha thought the magic had returned and he was ready to cast another Finite when Zaria spoke out in a strangled voice.
"It's Zach mum. It's Zach. Something has happened to Zach. I can feel it. Zach is hurt. Mum. Papa. Zach is lying somewhere hurt. We have to help him. Please."
Samantha and Papa Gibbons glanced at each other thinking the spells had somehow scrambled Zaria's thinking. They both knew Zach was safe at Hogwarts under the care of Albus Dumbledore.
"Zaria love. Zach is safe. You know that. Professor Dumbledore assured us he would look out for your brother."
Zaria was now crying hysterically believing her brother was in trouble, but her mother and the grandfather didn't believe her. "Zach is hurt. I felt it through my letter. He's hurt and you're not doing anything."
Papa Gibbons conjured a wet cloth before sitting Zaria down. Looking into her eyes, he tried to reassure her. "I love Zach as much as you do. If I thought he was in trouble, I'd be at the doors of Hogwarts. You've had a frightening turn and it has caused you to imagine things. You think Zach is hurt because he was on your mind when.. when…
…..When she was attacked with magic in her home in her bedroom. Zach might not be hurt, but something wasn't right. Just in case, he hurried to the living room drawing his wand on the way. He had an Owl to send.
/*/
Malfoy had orders to bring back a souvenir. Unable to find anything of value on Zach, Malfoy grabbed one of Zaria's letters from the backpack. He had then wasted an additional fifteen minutes waffling over what to do. With one last look at the snotty little bastard lying on the floor, he shouted out the little known spell Tom had taught the senior members of his gang.
"SECTUMSEMPRA."
In his haste to get away from the Gryffindor corridor, Malfoy took his mind off the Disillusionment Charm and it slipped a bit. As things happen, Bertie, Jackson and Butters were coming down the corridor going to check the common room for lunchtime stragglers or some snot nosed Third Year trying Third Year things on a fellow witch. As they got to the last stair, Jackson stopped. Bertie and Jackson stopped as well.
"What Jackson? Just feeling like a stop in the middle of the corridor? Move it." Teased Butters.
Bertie laughed. "He's trying to work out how to get away from us to spend some time with the lovely..."
Jackson cut across Bertie. "Did you see that?"
"See what?" Asked Bertie and Butters at the same time.
"I thought I saw….. Never mind. It was probably one of those blasted Hogwarts ghosts. Let's get to the common room then down to lunch. I'm famished."
"You're always famished. Besides, you're the one who is holding us up. Like Butters said, move it." Bertie replied with a laugh.
The three mates hurried down the corridor to check on the snot nosed Third Years.
/*/
Malfoy realized his slip with the camouflage, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He could only hope that the stinking Gryffindors hadn't noticed. All he cared about was getting the job done, and he'd done that. He had fulfilled his Master's order. If the blasted nuisance wasn't dead, he would be near to it before the night was over. He entered the Slytherin dungeons a very happy wizard. His Master would probably give him some kind of reward. Perhaps he'd get to stand beside Avery and Nott at his Master's side.
As he walked across the room to his Master's rooms, Malfoy could feel Avery and Nott's eyes on him. He didn't care. He had just completed an order, a big order. As he stepped up to Tom's door, it was pulled open and he was drawn inside before he could even knock.
Malfoy handed Tom the letter from Zach's backpack as soon as the door closed behind him. "I used the spell you taught us over the summer, Sectumsempra. Glover may not be dead yet, but he is dying. He had nothing of value on his person so I took the letter from his backpack."
Tom snatched the letter from Malfoy's hand quickly reading it over. "I had hoped for something more substantial, but this will have to do. The little mutt has a sister who will be starting Hogwarts next year. Since he's dead or dying, perhaps I'll spell it to injure her before she even reaches …..."
Suddenly, before Tom could finish his sentence, the letter burst into a small pile of burning embers which burned his hands.
"What the bloody fuck is this?" He shouted, jumping back. "Have you lost your mind bringing me shite. You're as stupid as I thought you to be. You won't be leading Dippet or Dumbledore to me. OBLIVIATE THE ENTIRE GROVER MATTER!"
After Obliviating Malfoy, Tom sent him on his way telling him if he had anything else to share he should go through Avery.
Malfoy nodded wondering why he had been in Tom's rooms in the first place.
/*/
Bertie, Jackson and Butters were in and out of the empty common room in five minutes.
"I guess everyone is at the lunch table where they're supposed to be. I can now have my lunch in peace. Bangers and mash with onion gravy. I'm hungry enough to eat mine and yours as well. Let's get to it." He said, giving Jackson a nudge with his elbow.
Both Jackson and Butters jumped away from the hungry Bertie not wanting to chance becoming his meal.
Bertie grinned at his mates. "You two will never have to worry about becoming my meal. You're too white. They took you from the oven before you were done."
Their three way laughter could be heard all down the corridor.
/*/
The laughter ended when Aiden and Trevor ran up to them as they entered the Great Hall. "Away with you. I'm hungry and I want to have my lunch in peace." Bertie growled. It was on the tip of his tongue to make a joke about one third of the trio being missing when Trevor spoke up.
Trevor didn't care if Bertie was hungry. They needed his help. "Please Bertie. We can't find Zach. He left us before lunch on his way to the common room to send an Owl to his dad, and now he's missing."
"I was not even ten minutes behind Zach, but he wasn't in the common room. Added Aiden."
"We don't know where he is." Wailed Aiden and Trevor together.
Jackson and Butters glanced at each other knowing there wouldn't be any lunch for them until they found Zach.
"Did either of you think to ask the Fat Lady?"
Aiden and Trevor gave Bertie a sheepish look answering in unison. "No Bertie."
Bertie growled at the two First Years., "If this is some kind of nonsense, I'll have all your arses. Stay here while I check with the Fat Lady. Do not move."
Before leaving the Great Hall, Bertie happened to glance over at the Slytherin table to see Tom Riddle holding court in an animated manner. If this has anything to do with Riddle, I'll beat him down with my fists was the thought running through his head as he hurried to the stairs.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Bertie arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait out of breath. As soon as he was able, Bertie questioned the portrait, but she hadn't seen Zach since the morning. Turning back around, Bertie ran down the stairs three at a time to arrive in the Great Hall even more out of breath.
"The Fat Lady hasn't seen Zach since this morning." Gasping for air he turned to Trevor and Aiden. "Which path did Zach take? Regular or back corridors? Speak up. Which way?"
Trevor shrugged. "I don't know. I was talking with Eileen."
Aiden knew. "Zach was in a hurry to send the Owl before lunch. He took the back corridor."
"Okay good. Jackson and Butters. I'll need you to help me search the rooms off the odd corridor. Let's go now. Walsh and Wood. Do not leave the Great Hall until we come back for you. This might be serious."
The two frightened First Years headed to their end of the table to sit and wait to hear about their mate.
Bertie, Jackson and Butters were hurrying to the door when Albus Dumbledore hailed them.
Dumbledore didn't mince words. "I don't see Mr, Glover at the lunch table. I need to see him. Family matter."
/*/
Albus Dumbledore was in his office making notes on the Fourth Year Transfiguration class when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter."
Fifth Year student Gail Anderson stepped in holding out an Owl Post. "Good afternoon Professor. I was outside enjoying a bit of air when an Owl ran straight into the gates. Very awkward. Anyway, he had this letter addressed to you."
Dumbledore smiled at the witch while fuming over the quality of owl training. One quick read through of the letter caused Dumbledore to snap to attention. Richard Gibbons was writing to inquire about Zach because there had been an incident.
Dear Professor Dumbledore:
I am writing to inquire about Zach. Zaria had an incident today where it appears she was attacked by magic in her home in her bedroom. Samantha and Zaria are beside themselves.
Zaria went into what appeared to be seizures followed by folding herself into a fetal position. She told Samantha and I that for a bit of time she couldn't see, speak or move. The spells or whatever disappeared as quickly as they had come.
When she was able to speak, Zaria became convinced it all has something to do with Zach. She believes her brother is injured and somehow transferred his trauma through the letter she was writing. Far fetched I know. As we have your word that Zach would be under your protection, Samantha and I know this can't be true. However, to be sure, I'd like you to check on my great grandson and reply by Owl to set our minds at ease.
Daniel is at work and hasn't been advised of the happenings. Samantha, Zaria and I are hoping we have something to tell him when he comes home. Please check on our boy. If necessary, I can be at the gates of Hogwarts within a few hours.
Respectfully
Richard Gibbons
Dumbledore sprang into action Apparating from his office to directly to the back of the Great Hall thinking Zach had been fine that morning. This has to be some great misunderstanding.
Surveying the Great Hall, Dumbledore saw exactly who he was looking for, Bert, Jackson, and Butters who were heading towards the door at a brisk pace. Another quick survey showed Mr. Walsh and Mr. Wood at the lunch table but no Mr. Glover. Dumbledore became concerned and moved quickly to intercept Bert, Jackson and Butters.
"A word outside the Hall Bertie, Mr. Jackson. You too Mr. Butters."
"Oh, oh. This can't be good," mumbled Jackson.
Once outside the Hall, Dumbledore spoke in low tones. "I don't see Mr, Glover at the lunch table. I need to see him. Family matter."
Bertie started stammering knowing his first stop should have been Dumbledore when Zach had been reported missing. "I-I…..."
"This is no time for your tongue to desert you. Do you know where Zach is?" Growled Dumbledore.
Bertie snapped to. "No Professor Dumbledore. We don't know where Zach is. Jackson, Butters and I were on our way to search the seventh floor back corridors."
Looking over his glasses, Dumbledore lit into Bertie specifically. "I thought better of you Mr. Robbins. Why wasn't my office your first stop when Zachary turned up missing? Be that as it may. We'll discuss it after we find Mr. Glover. If we're going to the back corridor, let's go."
The three mates followed closely behind Dumbledore as he climbed the stairs to the seventh floor without a word among them. If something had happened to Zach, their fault or not, they would have a lot of explaining to do.
/*/
As soon as they were in the back corridor, Bertie, Jackson and Butters separated to check the rooms along the corridor, but Dumbledore shouted at them. "There's no time for a room to room search. Zach might be seriously injured. Get back here and stay out of the way." Then in a booming voice, he twisted his wand and called out a spell unknown to the Fifth Years. "Appare Vestigium Zachary Glover!"
Suddenly a swirl of gold appeared and moved down the hall leaving a trail of golden mist. Dumbledore followed the mist and Bertie, Jackson and Butters followed Dumbledore.
Even for Fifth Years the meaning was frightening. Whatever the spell was meant to do, it was doing it which didn't bode well for Zach.
The golden mist settled in front of one of the doors before disappearing under the door.
Dumbledore didn't speculate on the how and the why. He stepped back and for the second time in five minutes he pointed his wand at the door and shouted. "Alohomora!"
The door banged open and all three Gryffindors let out a gasp of horror. Zach was lying immobile in a fetal position with blood seeping from numerous slits across his body. With tears filling his eyes, Bertie dropped to his knees trying every spell of consequence a Fifth Year had been taught, but Dumbledore pulled him away.
"Out of the way Mr. Robbins. This heinous spell can only be reversed with the strongest of magic." Dumbledore traced the wounds with his wand as he called out in a sing song voice."Vulnera Sanentur."
Seconds later, the wounds appeared to have closed up, but Zach remained immobile and staring but not seeing. "What's this then?" Dumbledore mumbled softly. "I've corrected the Sectumsempra. Zach should be coming around."
Lifting Zach from the floor, Dumbledore demanded Bert, Jackson and Butters get out of his way. "I'm taking Zach to the hospital wing. Until I find out what's going on, get back down to Great Hall and get Aiden and Trevor to your common room. Do not let them out of your sight. Have someone bring dinner up."
Then he and Zach were gone.
/*/
Although frightened for Zach, Bertie, Jackson and Butters did exactly as they'd been told. They headed to the Great Hall at double time to protect the other two thirds of the trio, just in case.
/*/
Neither Aiden nor Trevor offered any resistance when Bertie whispered they should gather their things and follow him. Aiden didn't even pretend to be brave. Something had happened to Zach. He felt it in his bones and was barely able to hold back tears. Trevor left the Great Hall straight backed and looking straight ahead not knowing what he would do if Zach was dead.
Back in the common room, the only thing they'd been told was someone would be bringing up their dinner and they should study until the meals arrived. Aiden and Trevor didn't speak. What was there to say? Whatever happened to Zach they had played a part. They had let their mate walk away alone.
Even though all they had was assumptions, they couldn't ignore Bertie just about tearing the dorm room apart and Jackson trying to calm him down. They really couldn't make out what he was saying, but the anguish in his voice spoke volumes.
Dinner arrived, but neither bothered. How could they be expected to eat when no one would tell them what was going on with Zach.
Fifteen minutes after dinner arrived, Bertie blew through the common room on his way out. Halfway to the door, he turned back to make a statement. "Under no circumstances are you to leave this common room. The Fat Lady will be advised. Are we clear?"
"We're clear," replied Aiden in a tremulous voice.
"Clear Bertie," answered Trevor through trembling lips.
"Good. Eat your dinner. I'll be right back."
/*/
Bertie wasn't right back, but that didn't matter because neither Trevor nor Aiden wanted to move from where he had left them. When Bertie did get back, he sat down on the couch with Jackson and Butters who had left the dorms to sit in the common room.
"Listen carefully because I'm only going to say this once. Full details will be revealed when Professor Dumbledore is ready. Earlier today, someone attacked Zach. He was badly injured and left lying in his own blood in one of the rooms off the odd corridor. When we found Zach, Professor Dumbledore did all he could but there were still some issues. When I left here, I went to check on Zach. I'm telling you this because right now no one knows what's what. Try not to worry. Young Madam Pomfrey and Professor Dumbledore are brilliant. They are doing their best to bring your mate back to full health."
Without saying a word, Trevor gathered his belongings and left the common room. After gathering up his things, Aiden followed. Trevor was already in bed with the blanket pulled high on his shoulder. Aiden wanted to talk, but he didn't want to see a best mate cry so he too undressed, got in bed and pulled the blanket up to his ears. He didn't want a best mate to see him cry.
What would they do without Zach?